Defending champion Cignal kicks off its three-peat campaign in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference with confidence, taking on debuting squad Alpha Insurance Protectors on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The match, set for 3:30 p.m., is the second of three opening-day games in the country’s premier men’s volleyball league, organized by Sports Vision and supported by ArenaPlus and Mikasa.
Leading Cignal’s charge are Louie Ramirez, JM Ronquillo and Owa Retamar, all instrumental in the team’s recent success. Their experience and chemistry will be key as they face the youthful Protectors, a team composed of UAAP and NCAA standouts.
Fresh from an intensive Japan training camp, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor believes his squad is well-prepared to defend their title.
“This was our best training camp so far,” said Clamor in Filipino. “We played against two Division 1 teams, a Division 2 team, and top universities in Nagoya. The experience of facing such strong opponents taught us invaluable lessons, which we’ll bring into Spikers’ Turf.”
“We’re used to winning comfortably back home, often in straight sets. In Japan, we experienced getting overwhelmed and outplayed. It was a humbling but necessary experience,” he added.
On the other side of the net, former D’Navigators standout Edward Camposano will spearhead Alpha Insurance’s maiden campaign. He will be joined by promising talents JM Apolinario, Jerome Lopez, Francis Casas, JJ Javelona, and BJ Anima as they aim to make a strong first impression.
Savouge, meanwhile, has strengthened its roster with Mark Calado (ex-Cignal) and Madz Gampong (ex-D’Navigators). They join a solid core led by Sherwin Caritativo, Giles Torres, John Diwa and Hero Austria as they set out for their 1 p.m. showdown with a PGJC-Navy side, which will bank on team chemistry.
Leading the Sealions’ bid are seasoned campaigners Greg Dolor, Joeven Dela Vega, Peter Quiel and the returning Jack Kalingking.
Meanwhile, Criss Cross, powered by reigning MVP Jude Garcia, along with Kim Malabunga and Ysay Marasigan, brings experience to counter the youthful energy of VNS-Laticrete’s CJ Segui, Titus Villacrusis and Roderick Medino in the 6 p.m. main dish.
Games will be telecast on One Sports, One Sports+, and the Pilipinas Live app, which will feature video-on-demand content.
